Living Large: A Nature Preserve In Dallas’ Lakewood Area

NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 NEWS) – CBS 11 News is starting a new series called “Living Large” which showcases unique and luxurious spaces in the DFW area. Today Tracy Kornet takes us to an unexpected place in the heart of Dallas. It is a nature preserve with all the elements of modern living.

The 4-acre Fisher Road Ranch is near the intersection of Abrams and Mockingbird and about eight minutes drive to downtown Dallas.

Joan and Marty Rose built the 6000 sq. feet home in 1999. It’s their sanctuary. “If you look out in the pasture and it’s a hectic day, you see the horses just kind of hanging out. It’s very soothing,” Joan Rose said.

The Roses love horses and own two of them, including some chickens. Monk parakeets and other native birds often visit the property. Joan loves native plants and is a conscious conserver.

The owners have built a water reclamation system that uses rain water to irrigate their pastures. A network of gutters and pipes pour water from the roof into two cisterns that hold more than 20,000 gallons of water.

The home comes with a koi pond, native flora and fauna throughout the property as well as a whimsical totem pole – a great conversation piece according to the homeowner.

The Roses have brought a bit of the outdoors inside.

In the kitchen, Joan is proud of the mesquite wood bar and the backsplash. “The thing I’ve always liked about our kitchen is our backsplash. It’s a river rock,” she points out.

Art pieces by Jennifer Morgan and others complete the space. ‘The Giraffe’ was custom made for the space near the bar. The chandelier is a custom order from Italy. But the biggest draw of the space is the wine cellar.

Joan explained, “It’s (the floor is) made of corks from wine bottles. There are probably 17- to 1800 corks in there.”

In the master bedroom – the bed is made of Sycamore, Douglas Fir and Mesquite wood. The bed and the side table are accessorized with little pieces of stones from Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The home is equipped with all the modern elements of life but is true to the outside. The master bath has a secret passage to a porch outside. “Great place to have your coffee and just relax.”

The 5-bedroom, 5-bath home also includes a fully functional gym and a guest room with a view of the pastures.